Lula meets with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and invites pontiff to COP30

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) met with Pope Leo XIV this Monday, 13th, at the Vatican. Lula arrived in Rome on Sunday, 12th, to participate in the opening of the World Food Forum, of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

This is the fourth time that Lula has met a pope since the beginning of his political career. The president had already been received by John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis at different times of government.

In a post on X, the president said that he addressed topics such as hunger and invited the pontiff to COP30, (United Nations Conference on Climate Change), which takes place in November in Belém, Pará.

“I spoke to the Pope about my participation today in the FAO meeting and how in two and a half years we took Brazil off the Hunger Map for the second time. And now, we are taking this debate to the world through the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.”

“I invited him to come to COP30, considering the historical importance of holding a Climate Conference for the first time in the heart of the Amazon. Due to the Jubilee, the Pope told us that he will not be able to participate, but guaranteed representation from the Vatican in Bethlehem.”

In the post, the president also stated that the pontiff intends to visit Brazil – although the date has not yet been set.

“We are very happy to know that His Holiness intends to visit Brazil at the appropriate time. He will be very well received, with the affection, welcome and faith of the Brazilian people. I remembered that yesterday (Sunday, 12th) we had an immense demonstration of this faith at the Círio de Nazaré and in the celebrations of the Day of Our Lady of Aparecida, patron saint of Brazil.”